Database Develop

[Q] Does the international version have issues connecting to 3G or 4G?

I was hoping to buy the international version (link), because I dislike AT&T's service. But if it has issues connecting to T-Mobile's HSPA+, EDGE // 3G, then I might resign myself to buying the no-commitment/unlocked version of AT&T's.
Anybody?

There are dozens of threads about this. Have a search.

Fair enough. I searched for the answer, and spent 10 minutes reading and I've found the following.
1. No LTE support with the international version.
2. Using the AT&T version will allow me to flash the modem to get access to T-Mobile's 4G.
However, T-Mobile's "4G" isn't 4G, but HSPA+, which isn't LTE. But I have not confirmed any information regarding if the international
---
Upon further inspection, I've found this post
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=24192799&postcount=17
This says that it is possible, but unlikely that you can get the HSPA+ with the Note.
Thanks for being a (justified) ass, and getting me to do the correct thing.

kawarazu said:
Fair enough. I searched for the answer, and spent 10 minutes reading and I've found the following.
1. No LTE support with the international version.
2. Using the AT&T version will allow me to flash the modem to get access to T-Mobile's 4G.
However, T-Mobile's "4G" isn't 4G, but HSPA+, which isn't LTE. But I have not confirmed any information regarding if the international
---
Upon further inspection, I've found this post
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=24192799&postcount=17
This says that it is possible, but unlikely that you can get the HSPA+ with the Note.
Thanks for being a (justified) ass, and getting me to do the correct thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you can flash the modem for T-Mobile to make it work then why would it NOT connect to HSPA+ with that working modem? This device is naturally an HSPA+ device so...

To quote the link I placed,
Okay. To answer your question, the N7000 (International Note) will work perfectly fine on T-Mobile US. Phone calls, SMS messages, and data will all work perfectly. The issue, however, is not with the services you can get, but the quality of the services you can get. Even though the N7000 is an "international" GSM device, T-Mobile uses irregular frequencies for it's HSPA+ network. Specifically, instead of supporting HSPA+ on a single frequency, T-Mobile's HSPA+ service is divided between 1700MHz and 2100MHz in what is referred to as 1700/2100 AWS (Advanced Wireless Spectrum). Because AWS is a rare and unusual implementation of HSPA+, almost no "international" phone models support it. In most cases, only phones meant specifically for North America support it. What this means, simply, is that the N7000 will never be capable of using T-Mobile's HSPA+ network (unless you have the rare privelege of being in a 1900MHz HSPA+ area).|
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By my understanding, the Note does not work with T-Mobile's HSPA+ because of AWS, and it's usage of 2 frequencies to create HSPA+. It is not designed to. It isn't a design flaw of the phone, but rather because of the non-standard way T-Mobile has implemented HSPA+. Sad, but true. If T-Mobile spends the money and upgrades their infrastructure, we will likely have HSPA+ as well.

kawarazu said:
To quote the link I placed,
By my understanding, the Note does not work with T-Mobile's HSPA+ because of AWS, and it's usage of 2 frequencies to create HSPA+. It is not designed to. It isn't a design flaw of the phone, but rather because of the non-standard way T-Mobile has implemented HSPA+. Sad, but true. If T-Mobile spends the money and upgrades their infrastructure, we will likely have HSPA+ as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahhhhh... I see... Geeze... That sucks then hey? So Edge is the best you can get on T-Mobile then? Whey would anyone even want to do this then?

1) The Note is not a US only device, and neither is the Android universe. The Note works happily in other countries, it's just that the US is so ****ed up that we think we're doing it correct. Think about it, why use two spectrums when we only need one to implement HSPA+?
2) Remember, a device as large as the Note might not require a fast active data connection. For instance, the only time I'd really want to web-browse is when I'm searching for something. Otherwise I spend most of my time on my phone reading eBooks (which I'd not download "live" anyway), watching anime (which I'd never download off my data plan), or playing games (which does not require an active data connection at all.)
I'm very interested in it for the ease of reading and video playback. There's a lot of anime that would just feel nicer to watch on a big screen. Plus, anything I want to read, I'd use ReadItLater to download, and read later. Oh, and EDGE isn't so bad if you just need to pick up emails and such.

Unless you really need the FM Radio, I'd say to grab the AT&T version. They go for pretty cheap on Craigslist.
Both handle videos amazingly well. I've played 8-bit 720p mkv files on both without issue. Both stutter a bit with 10-bit video.
Yes, the International Note has slightly more powerful hardware. However, the only place I've been able to put it to use is in making n64 emulation run super smoothly. In everything else I put them through, the AT&T Note performed admirably.
If you want to toy around with NFC, AT&T is the way to go.
Moreover, while I was on T-Mobile, I always found data speeds to be great. Obviously not LTE great, but I never found a need for service THAT fast. For web browsing, streaming vids, messaging etc, it worked amazingly well. My only problem with T-mobile service was its lack of building penetration. I would be reduced to EDGE while in the office and go totally dead at my brother's school. AT&T reached those areas just fine.

kawarazu said:
1) The Note is not a US only device, and neither is the Android universe. The Note works happily in other countries, it's just that the US is so ****ed up that we think we're doing it correct. Think about it, why use two spectrums when we only need one to implement HSPA+?
2) Remember, a device as large as the Note might not require a fast active data connection. For instance, the only time I'd really want to web-browse is when I'm searching for something. Otherwise I spend most of my time on my phone reading eBooks (which I'd not download "live" anyway), watching anime (which I'd never download off my data plan), or playing games (which does not require an active data connection at all.)
I'm very interested in it for the ease of reading and video playback. There's a lot of anime that would just feel nicer to watch on a big screen. Plus, anything I want to read, I'd use ReadItLater to download, and read later. Oh, and EDGE isn't so bad if you just need to pick up emails and such.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
T-Mobile's AWS block has nothing to do with the U.S. being ****ed up. Every other GSM carrier in the country uses standard frequencies. The reason T-Mobile has to use AWS is because they were unable to secure the necessary frequency block to implement standard HSPA(+). It's not that the U.S. is ****ed up; it's that so much of our country has already been dependant on wireless services for years, and that means there's not much spectrum left for growth.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk

[Q] Internet, ICS and LTE

Firstly, when I'm not using wifi my internet seems awefully slow. I try and use it when the signal is on G and about 2 or 3 bars, but it takes forever to load pages. It also takes ages to load the facebook news feed. Any ideas?
I have heard about ICS, but I don't know if my phone is actually running this. How do I find out?
Lastly, what is LTE? What does it stand for? Does it make the phone any better? How do I find out if my note is the LTE version?

Yes, you have only got 2.5G, not a 3G/HSPA signal. Check your phone network settings to ensure your mode is set to AUTO and not GSM only. Check your manual.
As for LTE, google is your best friend.

I have found out that LTE stands for long term evolution, but how do I know if my phone is the LTE version?

ottawayd said:
I have found out that LTE stands for long term evolution, but how do I know if my phone is the LTE version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This what LTE stands for
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/4G
Since you don't know what LTE is, I would assume you don't have it at your locale, i.e. there is no point knowing whether your Note supports it or not, am I right?
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium

You've used 'i.e.' where you should have actually used 'therefore.' Let's not try and be clever. All I wanted to know was if my phone was the LTE version. It is quite a simple question.
Maybe there is no point in me knowing, but I am just interested. Your comment was of no use.

ottawayd said:
I have found out that LTE stands for long term evolution, but how do I know if my phone is the LTE version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The LTE version is the I717 model, not the N7000, which is the international HSPA version.
Did you get your connectivity speed back up to 3G?

Hi Joe
So are there any I717 models issued in the UK or is it mainly for other countries?
Well I have done, yes, but even with H signal (which I think is 3G?) my internet is still very slow on some websites. Just for example, it took a good 5 minutes to try and load the xda forums yesterday.
With wifi on everything is super fast and after doing a speed test I think it achieved 9mbps, but with 3G it only managed 1mbps.
Just another point. I used to use my iPhone as a hotspot and the speed of the internet on my laptop was really fast, I think it was running at around 5mbps.
This just seems a bit strange. It's almost as if something isn't working properly.

Bump.

ottawayd said:
Hi Joe
So are there any I717 models issued in the UK or is it mainly for other countries?
Well I have done, yes, but even with H signal (which I think is 3G?) my internet is still very slow on some websites. Just for example, it took a good 5 minutes to try and load the xda forums yesterday.
With wifi on everything is super fast and after doing a speed test I think it achieved 9mbps, but with 3G it only managed 1mbps.
Just another point. I used to use my iPhone as a hotspot and the speed of the internet on my laptop was really fast, I think it was running at around 5mbps.
This just seems a bit strange. It's almost as if something isn't working properly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you create a hotspot with the Note & check the browsing speed?

Flash radios? No T-Mobile LTE

I have yet to get T-Mobile's lte on my unlocked HTC First. Does anyone know why? ( I have had 2 AT&T unlocked handsets running on lte in my area previously.)
Are there any different radios around I can flash? I am aware that the First and One Mini have nearly the same hardware. Could I try flashing a One Mini radio?
Thanks for the help.

Agent00yolo said:
I have yet to get T-Mobile's lte on my unlocked HTC First. Does anyone know why? ( I have had 2 AT&T unlocked handsets running on lte in my area previously.)
Are there any different radios around I can flash? I am aware that the First and One Mini have nearly the same hardware. Could I try flashing a One Mini radio?
Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've also got my first with T-Mobile but all I can get is hspa+ yes we've got the necessary radios for LTE but the phone isn't programmed in a way that it can use them. You'll need a T-Mobile specific RUU for that. But our first is a at&t only handset so none is existent. Will something from the mini work? Maybe. But it's likely that you would end up with a brick. And I don't believe that a T-Mobile specific one exists. Go ahead an try it if you want tho and mess around with stuff but... Beware

Agent00yolo said:
I have yet to get T-Mobile's lte on my unlocked HTC First. Does anyone know why? ( I have had 2 AT&T unlocked handsets running on lte in my area previously.)
Are there any different radios around I can flash? I am aware that the First and One Mini have nearly the same hardware. Could I try flashing a One Mini radio?
Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They might have the same hardware but different radios so you have to check that
Sent from my HTC first using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Damn... If I was aware of this before my purchase, I may have gone with a different device.
I don't think lte is worth a possible paperweight. Finding a way to enable lte doesn't seem like too difficult of a task - not that I really know what I'm talking about.
Thanks guys.

I'm on att
And Im off contract with no data. I get WiFi everywhere so... I pay 10 bucks a month for my self on a family plan...
Sent from my HTC first using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Agent00yolo said:
Damn... If I was aware of this before my purchase, I may have gone with a different device.
I don't think lte is worth a possible paperweight. Finding a way to enable lte doesn't seem like too difficult of a task - not that I really know what I'm talking about.
Thanks guys.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't worry about it too much. Hspa+ speeds are great! I get an average of 8mbs down! But I'm in a completely refarmed area. Make sure to check on your device info whether you're getting hspa+ or umts as you might need a different APN. (Umts is 3g but shows up as 4g)

It's HSPA+. However, I live on the edge of the reframed area. In my city I get anywhere from .5 down, up to as high as 3MBs. On lte it was around 10-20 down.
h++p://i39.tinypic.com/vdpbna.png

Agent00yolo said:
It's HSPA+. However, I live on the edge of the reframed area. In my city I get anywhere from .5 down, up to as high as 3MBs. On lte it was around 10-20 down.
h++p://i39.tinypic.com/vdpbna.png
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get 70kbps at my house through DSL! So don't complain bout those speeds. You have never seen how slow att DSL is
Sent from my HTC first using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Agent00yolo said:
It's HSPA+. However, I live on the edge of the reframed area. In my city I get anywhere from .5 down, up to as high as 3MBs. On lte it was around 10-20 down.
h++p://i39.tinypic.com/vdpbna.png
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try these APN settings exactly. They got me an extra 2megs. And the refarming is extending rapidly. Not so long ago I got edge but now I've got great hspa+ everywhere. It will improve only who knows how long it'll take

Could someone test following build.prop settings on T-Mobile?
Don't forget to:
1. make backup of build.prop;
2. you must be s-off;
3. reboot after applying changes.
old -> new
ro.ril.hsdpa.category=14 -> ro.ril.hsdpa.category=24 (T-Mobile dual channel HSPA support)
ro.ril.ltefgi=1577974912 -> ro.ril.ltefgi=1578105984 (LTE features)
ro.ril.disable.lte.band2_5=1 -> ro.ril.disable.lte.band2_5=0 (LTE band 2 and 5, already =0 if you have latest radio)
ro.ril.att.feature=1 -> ro.ril.att.feature=0 (or remove)
EnableLTEBANDSCANPRI=1 -> EnableLTEBANDSCANPRI=0 (or remove)

Hulo_ said:
Could someone test following build.prop settings on T-Mobile?
Don't forget to:
1. make backup of build.prop;
2. you must be s-off;
3. reboot after applying changes.
old -> new
ro.ril.hsdpa.category=14 -> ro.ril.hsdpa.category=24 (T-Mobile dual channel HSPA support)
ro.ril.ltefgi=1577974912 -> ro.ril.ltefgi=1578105984 (LTE features)
ro.ril.disable.lte.band2_5=1 -> ro.ril.disable.lte.band2_5=0 (LTE band 2 and 5, already =0 if you have latest radio)
ro.ril.att.feature=1 -> ro.ril.att.feature=0 (or remove)
EnableLTEBANDSCANPRI=1 -> EnableLTEBANDSCANPRI=0 (or remove)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can do it right now but.. What exactly will it do?

abrahammmmmmm_ said:
I can do it right now but.. What exactly will it do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Change max 4g speed;
2. Change LTE features bits, exact number comes from HTC one mini; also there's specific number from T-Mobile HTC one, can't find it right now;
3. Enable additional LTE bands, that maybe supported by T-Mobile;
4 and 5. Specific at&t settings.

Hulo_ said:
1. Change max 4g speed;
2. Change LTE features bits, exact number comes from HTC one mini; also there's specific number from T-Mobile HTC one, can't find it right now;
3. Enable additional LTE bands, that maybe supported by T-Mobile;
4 and 5. Specific at&t settings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright my device didn't soft brick and still gets data! Sadly I'm in a 2g only area right now so it'll be a while until I can report back with any results. Hoping this improves something!

Had time to test it out now and there's no difference. Or at least not very noticeable so I returned to stock settings

I also didn't notice any difference. Thanks tho.

a little difference
i went from 10 mb up and 1 down to
15 mb up and 3 down so ill take it
now if some one can help me get 4g lte on this thing that would be great cause i cant figure it out

Could you please verify that your t-mobile sim works with LTE network in other t-mobile phones? Maybe problem in sim cart, cause LTE bands 2 and 4 that used by t-mobile are supported by this phone.
==
And what the reason of speed increase? Please share.

Fake service? T-Mobile.

I'm not the only one getting the b.s service right? I have unlimited high speed LTE and see the image for what I get with 3~4 bars of LTE I've had this problem since my s4 and note 3 and now on note 4.

Have you tried a new SIM?

I get this sometimes too on the tower by my house. It is super fast on some towers but others have speeds like you are showing.

Yea. Sometimes it shows good reception and then I get nothing. What helped me at work is getting that signal booster. You can get it at a local T-mobile store for free. ($25 deposit? Don't remember)

This thread talks about the cell spot router and the signal booster:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2975376
Honestly, I've never had better service, however.

It's a speed test issue not a service issue. Had the same thing tried a different test and fixed it.
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Free mobile app

Not a speed test issue, I know by now T Mobile is a pretty good liar about there LTE coverage. Here's a speed test done at home the previous one was at school. Also I was a sprint member before and there 3G was quicker then T Mobile 4g ( not lte). Also if you guys flash a AOSP rom you'd see what your service signal actually is. (I'm stuck on TouchWiz because of wifi calling) I get no bars at work because of environment, can't blame T Mobile for that.
Also another noob question if I have bars but no Internet why can't I call or text? Aren't those bars for voice and text?

I take some issue with your wording of this. T-Mobile's service is not fake, and they don't lie about anything. You have to understand that EVERYTHING on a mobile device is subject to far too many factors for me to name, and everyone will have a different experience. Just because you have not had a good one doesn't make their service fake or them liars. There is no "best carrier", other than what's best for YOU. If you had a good experience with Sprint, go back to them. I hate Sprint, and I'll never have them again. I've had great experiences with T-Mobile, and it continues to get better for me under John Legere's captaincy.
Also, for the record, speedtest.net is not a definitive test.

I'm not saying sprint is better but it's ridiculous how anything but lte is good on TMOBILE most of the time 4g or edge on TMOBILE time out can't even load a simple page. They don't cover a lot of what they say on there map for LTE and most of the time I don't get speeds I'm told to get even when my phones are indicating LTE with more then enough bars. Also why do the signals change when I'm on AOSP? I get what AOSP is saying LTE speeds when indicating LTE. I don't have to do a speed test to tell me if I'm getting good Internet speeds my phone also indicates it on the top left of what it's using and sometimes LTE is really good but most of the time it's pretty unreliable and slow.

To argue T-Mobile's side. I get H+ in areas at work that my Verizon note 3, whether on Verizon or T-Mobile got no service, and it speed tests a very usable 5mbps. It will get even better with band 12 turned on.

I wish I got that, I get around 25~100 kilobytes

I never see anything above 3-8 mbps , one time i saw 20, but that was one time.

Even I get 25+ now and then but never stable and most of the time on b.s h+

Ive had the same issues but what i found is that i have to switch or force my phone to 4g for a while and then back to LTE. On LTE there are times where i will be 20+mbps down and then ill be at less than one in the same building. What i did is force it to 4g and it was actually faster. I dont know why this helps it but it has for me. I then switch back to LTE whenever i seem to remember to switch it back. I called tmobile and they had be turn off the phone for a few minutes and then turn it back on and at the time, it fixed the issue but i havent been able to get that to work any other time.

Didn't even see this when I made my thread. I've been about a month now with worthless service on T-Mobile. Whole reason I left Verizon for T-Mobile is because I got service at work where I stream Netflix, Pandora, etc. Now I can't even do that. I get H+ in my work building.
I have -58dBm signal strength usually which shows as full bars and I can't even load web pages. Get random bursts of slightly alright speeds which quickly goes away. Usually 1mbps down. Was getting 5-6mbps down. Now I really get .18 Mbps down or less.
Sprint has zero signal at work but Verizon does. Pisses me off I left Verizon for T-Mobile when I don't even get the service I did anymore. They always tell me everything is fine too.
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Free mobile app

Tmobile working great here.

Yup and every time you call me "tower us being worked on" good one.

Signal at location
Attempting to run speed tests
Finally runs
You can't tell me this isn't pitiful. That is good signal. Should be able to be usable. Hell on Verizon with 3G same spot I used to be -90 and worked fine.
T-Mobile used to work here, not sure what happened.
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Free mobile app

Working great here.

I get anywhere from 25-65 down where I live with T-Mobile and I'm not in a major city what so ever

SM N950FD compatability with FIDO network.

Hi,
I bought the mentioned model online and using FIDO sim Card. I have moved from Canadian S8+. Note 8 shows data connection as "4G" (as against LTE of S8+) and I am getting 4 signal bars instead of 5. I am not noticing any signal drops or slow internet speeds though. I am just wondering if this is something i need to worry about. I still have the option to return the phone. If this is a serious issue, I would rather return the phone and buy a Canadian model. Thanks in advance for the help!

Trijunction said:
Hi,
I bought the mentioned model online and using FIDO sim Card. I have moved from Canadian S8+. Note 8 shows data connection as "4G" (as against LTE of S8+) and I am getting 4 signal bars instead of 5. I am not noticing any signal drops or slow internet speeds though. I am just wondering if this is something i need to worry about. I still have the option to return the phone. If this is a serious issue, I would rather return the phone and buy a Canadian model. Thanks in advance for the help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I think some (or maybe all?) of the international models simply show the 4G icon instead of the usual LTE icon that we're used to. Someone could correct me if I'm wrong but I think it's normal.
For the reception: could it just be 4 bars due to your location, or has it been consistently lower than expected in different places too? If it's persisting then you could check which bands are supported on that model versus the ones used by Fido. Might just be bad reception in your area too...hard to say.

True 4G on INT models is same as LTE. Im using same phone and network, no issues.

Can second this.
Ask your Carrier to confirm your IMEI on their end and refresh (provision) your SIM.
Before I only received 4G on my Exynos but after the refresh, I now get 4G+.

shollywood said:
True 4G on INT models is same as LTE. Im using same phone and network, no issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
good to know that.thanks! looks like the 4g/lte icon issue is more of a cosmetic thing but doesnt really effect data speeds.
However, I am very sure signal bars a consistently lower than S8+. I hardly see Note 8 getting all bars unless I am out on roads, not the case with S8. how about you?

A_H_E said:
Can second this.
Ask your Carrier to confirm your IMEI on their end and refresh (provision) your SIM.
Before I only received 4G on my Exynos but after the refresh, I now get 4G+.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you.I have actually called fido and the lady indeed took the imei and made me restart the phone. I am yet to see 4G+ though. Thanks again!

sefrcoko said:
Hi, I think some (or maybe all?) of the international models simply show the 4G icon instead of the usual LTE icon that we're used to. Someone could correct me if I'm wrong but I think it's normal.
For the reception: could it just be 4 bars due to your location, or has it been consistently lower than expected in different places too? If it's persisting then you could check which bands are supported on that model versus the ones used by Fido. Might just be bad reception in your area too...hard to say.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah the bars are consistently low but didn't notice any drop in quality. Funny thing is only after getting this phone I realized how rarely we use these devices for actual phone calls anymore! Today whole day I didnt get any phone call from anyone, only tons of messages on various apps. I finally had to call myself from my desk phone!

Trijunction said:
Thank you.I have actually called fido and the lady indeed took the imei and made me restart the phone. I am yet to see 4G+ though. Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I should note, and I failed too, that I do receive 4G+ but usually in larger areas. I live in a small city of 15, 000 and sometimes catch 4G+. If I'm in a much denser populous, I always get 4G+ (except when I'm on a call; it switches to 3G or HSPA depending on which SIM is in).
Case in point, was in Toronto this past weekend and had 4G+ all weekend long.

sefrcoko said:
Hi, I think some (or maybe all?) of the international models simply show the 4G icon instead of the usual LTE icon that we're used to. Someone could correct me if I'm wrong but I think it's normal.
For the reception: could it just be 4 bars due to your location, or has it been consistently lower than expected in different places too? If it's persisting then you could check which bands are supported on that model versus the ones used by Fido. Might just be bad reception in your area too...hard to say.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A_H_E said:
I should note, and I failed too, that I do receive 4G+ but usually in larger areas. I live in a small city of 15, 000 and sometimes catch 4G+. If I'm in a much denser populous, I always get 4G+ (except when I'm on a call; it switches to 3G or HSPA depending on which SIM is in).
Case in point, was in Toronto this past weekend and had 4G+ all weekend long.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same

Hi,
I am facing the same issue. Phone only shows 4 G + Reception Signal is weak
When I use 3G APN signal is stronger. Can you please share APN Settings you used
Thanks